Mounting means for vacuum cleaner bags

ABSTRACT

MOUNTING MEANS FOR DETACHABLY SECURING A VACUUM CLEANER FILTER BAG TO A VACUUM CLEANER SUCH THAT THE INLET TO THE BAG IS IN FIXED REGISTERY WITH THE INLET FROM THE VACUUM CLEANER ITSELF, THE NOVEL VACUUM CLEANER BAG ITSELF AND A COMBINATION OF A VACUUM CLEANER AND A VACUUM CLEANER BAG WHEREIN EITHER THE VACUUM CLEANER OR THE BAG IS PROVIDED WITH A MAGNETIC AND THE OTHER IS PROVIDED WITH A MAGNETICALLY-SUSCEPTIBLE MEMBER EACH OF WHICH ENCIRCLE THE INLET TO SAID BAG OR SAID BAG OR SAID VACUUM CLEANER.

' i uou'n'rme fon vAuuu CLEANER csf Filed uayfl, 1969'` y l sheets-sheet 1 "7324/9917 A'e/fafw/ I Nov, Z, 1971 A, FRIEDMAN 3,616,622

` MOUNTING MEANS FOR VACUUM CLEANER BAGS Filed may 1e, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent Office 3,616,622 MOUNTING MEANS FOR VACUUM CLEANER BAGS Abraham Friedman, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to Studley Paper Company, Inc., Far Rockaway, N.Y. Continuation-in-part of abandoned application Ser. No. 555,546, June 6, 1966. This application May 16, 1969, Ser. No. 830,910

Int. Cl. B01d 46/ 02 U.S. Cl. 55--376 21 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Mounting means for detachably securing a vacuum cleaner filter bag to a vacuum cleaner such that the inlet to the bag is in fixed registry with the inlet from the vacuum cleaner itself, the novel vacuum cleaner bag itself and a combination of a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner bag wherein either the vacuum cleaner or the bag is provided with a magnet and the other is provided with a magnetically-susceptible member each of which encircle the inlet to said bag or said vacuum cleaner.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 555,546, filed June 6, 1966 of Abraham Friedman, entitled Mounting Means for Vacuum Cleaner Bags, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to disposable type filter bags for use with vacuum cleaners. In particular, this invention relates to mounting means for detachably securing such a disposable bag in operative association with the complementary coupling element of a vacuum cleaner.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART Disposable type paper filter bags have almost universally replaced the relatively permanent type filter receptacles which previously formed part of vacuum cleaning devices. Disposable filter bags have distinct advantages, both with respect to hygienic considerations and convenience of utilization. In general, a disposable type filter bag for use with vacuum cleaners comprises an enclosure formed of relatively flexible air pervious filter paper or similar material capable of separating the dust, debris and similar material from the air stream in which it is entrained. The bag must be capable of withstanding the strain imposed thereon by the air stream during the operation of the suction cleaner as well as the weight of the waste material received therein during removal and transportation from the cleaner for the purpose of disposal. Additionally, the structure must withstand the abuse to which the filter bag as a whole, and particularly the mounting means thereof, is subjected during the process of securing the filter bag in operative association with the cleaner as well as upon removal therefrom. The aforesaid mounting element must be capable of forming an efficient air seal with the complementary coupling or mounting element provided upon the vacuum cleaner body as well as with the wall of the filter bag receptacle itself. This. problem is particularly pronounced in connection with paper type disposable filter bags which usually are formed of a relatively thin and readily frangible sheet material. The mounting means for a filter receptacle formed of this material must be mechanically secured in position thereon in such manner as to provide au effective and firm connection with the wall 3,616,622 Patented Nov. 2 1971 of the filter bag while minimizing the possibility of the tearing of the lter material during handling or use of the bag. An essential consideration in the provision of the mounting element for disposable filter bags of this type is, of course, economy of manufacture including the use of low cost materials and simple, efficient but inexpensive means for securing the mounting element in position thereon.

Various types of coupling arrangement for securing a disposable bag in operative position in a vacuum cleaner have been proposed in the past, and some of these have been quite successful and widely accepted. In general, most of these were made either in the form of a flange of cardboard or the like surrounding the mouth of the bag, adapted to be fitted into the Vacuum cleaner adjacent a conduit for the dust-laden air, and held in place by a member forming a permanent part of the vacuum cleaner, or a more or less resilient collar adapted to fit snugly around an end of the conduit in sealing relationship thereto. Of these, the collar type tended to be easier to apply and remove, but was either less reliable than the flange type because of relatively inefficient sealing, or else more expensive than the flange type, because of the introduction of more complicated constructions and use of more expensive materials, inthe attempt to overcome the sealing problem.

On the other hand, the flange type of coupling arrangement also suffers from certain disadvantages, among which may be mentioned the comparative difficulty of properly seating the flange in the holding member provided therefor, the necessity of providing such a holding member in the structure of the vacuum cleaner body (for example, toggle clamps or a spaced plate behind which the flange is designed to be slid) and the possibility of damaging the bag or the flange in the process of installing the bag in the vacuum cleaner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention, therefore, is to provide an improved vacuum cleaner bag.

Another object is to provide an improved coupling arrangement for holding a vacuum cleaner bag in operative relationship to a vacuum cleaner. l

'Still another object is to provide a coupling arrangement characterized by outstanding ease and simplicity of installation and removal of the filter bag from the vacuum cleaner body.

A further object is to provide a bag and coupling arrangement as aforesaid, which provides a positive seal between the mouth of the filter bag and the associated conduit of the vacuum cleaner for dust-laden air.

Another object is to provide a coupling arrangement of the type described, which is of simple and inexpensive construction.

Yet another object is to provide such a coupling arrangement, which does not require the use of holding members in the form of clamps or plates for the purpose of holding a flange in place, nor the careful seating of a flange in relationship to such a holding member.

Another object is to provide a closure arrangement of the type described, which reduces or virtually eliminates any danger of tearing or damaging the bag or the closure in the process of installing the bag in the vacuum cleaner or removing it therefrom.

A feature of the invention is the use of a vacuum cleaner filter bag having a paramagnetic member associated with the mouth aperture thereof.

Another feature is the provision of a vacuum cleaner filter bag having a flange of cardboard or the like surrounding the mouth aperture thereof, and having a foil of paramagnetic material laminated to said flange.

Still another feature is the provision of a vacuum cleaner body having an inlet conduit for dust-laden air and a permanent magnet associated with said inlet conduit.

According to a further feature of the invention, said magnet is apertured and surrounds said inlet conduit near the discharge end thereof.

A feature of one embodiment of the invention is the provision of a vacuum cleaner filter bag having a mouth aperture provided with a generally cylindrical collar, said collar consisting at least in part of paramagnetic material.

Another feature of said embodiment of the invention is the provision of a vacuum cleaner having an inlet conduit for dust-laden air, and a generally tubular permanent magnet associated with the discharge end of said conduit.

According to another feature, the tubular magnet and the cylindrical collar are sized to nest together in telescoping relationship.

Other objects, features and advantages will become apparent from the following more complete description and claims.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION Broadly, this invention resides in a coupling assembly for detachably securing a vacuum cleaner filter bag having an inlet aperture in operative association with a vacuum cleaner inlet opening, said assembly comprising a first magnetic member having an aperture therein, said first magnetic member attached to a vacuum cleaner filter bag overlying the inlet to said filter bag such that the aperture in said first magnetic member is in registry with said inlet, a second magnetic member having an aperture therein secured to the discharge end of a vacuum cleaner such that said second magnetic member encircles said discharge end with its aperture in registry with the inlet to said discharge end, one of said magnetic members being a magnet.

`In a particularly desirable embodiment, the invention `contemplates a vacuum cleaner filter bag provided with an air inlet and a magnetic member having an aperture therein, said magnetic member attached to said vacuum cleaner filter bag, said aperture in registry with said air inlet such that said magnetic member overlies said inlet.

In another important embodiment, this invention contemplates a vacuum cleaner having a housing, said housing having a discharge end to which is attached a first magnetic member having an aperture therein in registry with the inlet to said discharge end, said first magnetic member encircling said discharge end, said housing containing a vacuum cleaner filter bag provided with an air inlet, said vacuum cleaner filter bag having attached thereto a second magnetic member having an aperture therein, said second magnetic member overlying said air inlet and having its aperture in registry with said air inlet, one of said magnetic members being a magnet.

In the statement of the invention above, the term magnetic member is used. The term is meant to include magnets themselves, including electromagnets, and substances which are attracted to magnets. Particularly desirable substances are ferromagnetic substances. Any of the available magnetic materials can be employed, such as Alnico, ceramic magnets, plastic or rubber base magnetic materials. A flexible magnetic material is preferred in certain cases such as in the case of the ange form of magnet 32 discussed below, since such form is easily worked, relatively inexpensive, and capable of deforming slightly to accommodate stray particles of dust and dirt, thus helping to achieve the primary object of the invention, i.e., an effective seal between vacuum and bag. In the case of the bag, normally the magnetic material will be of the type of materials denominated magneticallysusceptible materials, i.e., those materials which are attracted to magnets without being themselves a magnet. In such case, the discharge end of the vacuum cleaner housing has encircling the same a magnet. It should be understood, however, that the bag may have attached thereto a magnet in which case the discharge end of the vacuum need only be provided with a magneticallysusceptible material. Normally, the bag will contain the magnetica1lysusceptible material since they are less expensive than magnets and cost is a factor in disposable bags.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to the drawings:

FIG. l is a partially exploded perspective View of a vacuum cleaner filter bag according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view, taken along line 2 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another form of vacuum cleaner filter bag according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a metal-topaper laminate for mounting collar use;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another form of filter bag according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the bag of FIG. l secured in operative relation to the discharge end of the inlet conduit of a vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 7 is a side view, with some parts cut away, and partly in section, showing the bag of FIG. 5 secured in operative relation to the discharge end of the inlet conduit of a vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 8 is a side view, with some parts cut away and partly in section, showing the bag of FIG. 3 secured in operative relation to the discharge end of the inlet conduit of another type of vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view, showing a bag according to the invention, secured in operative relation to the discharge end of the inlet conduit of still another type of vacuum cleaner;

FIG. l0 is a partially exploded perspective view of another style of vacuum cleaner filter bag according to the invention;

FIG. l1 is a cross-section taken along line 11-11 of FIG. l0, also showing in fragmentary fashion the discharge end of an associated inlet conduit;

FIG. l2 is a fragmentary side View, partly in section and with some parts cut away, showing a filter bag of the type shown in FIG. 5 after a period of operation, and also illustrates the manner in which the magnetic closure can be partially uncoupled in response to forces which would otherwise tend to tear the bag, without destroying the operative connection between the inlet conduit and the mouth of the bag;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary detail, similar to FIG. 12 but on a somewhat larger scale, showing a guard which may be incorporated in order to prevent the magnetic closure from being completely uncoupled under the influence of sudden increases in air iiow, impact of solid objects drawn up through the inlet conduit, etc.;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly iu phantom, showing how the end portion of a bag of the type shown in FIG. 5, having a large cardboard flange and a smaller ange comprising a metal foil or the like, is brought up to a magnet in the process of installing the bag in a vacuum cleaner.

DISCUSSION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to FIGS. l and 2, the bag according to the present invention comprises a bag body l0 of conventional construction which may have pleats 12 and suitable end closures 14, in accordance with conventional practice. The bag body 10 is also provided with a suitable mouth aperture 15, defined in this case by an array of intersecting slits 16 which open up on insertion of the discharge end 26 of the vacuum cleaner inlet conduit 28 to provide an aperture for ingress of dust-laden air into the bag. The bag body 10 is made of any suitable material effective to permit air to escape through the walls, while filtering out at least a major portion of the dust entrained in the air stream. Such bags are commonly made of porous creped filter paper, and such a material is also suitable for the ilter bag according to the present invention.

Overlying the mouth aperture 15 of the filter bag 10 is a ange 18, provided with a central aperture 20 generally corresponding to the dimensions of the mouth aperture 15 formed by opening up slits 16. Aperture 20 is in registry with inlet 15. Flange 18 is attached to the bag body by glue or otherwise and serves the purpose, among others, of ensuring that the slits 16 do not become elongated by tearing, which would destroy the seal and allow dust-laden air to escape from the lter bag into the outer container constituting the housing of the vacuum cleaner, and thence back into the surrounding air.

Flange 18 consists at least in part of a lamina 22 of magnetic material such as steel sheet material or foil, capable of being attracted to a permanent magnet 32 and held in place thereby, as will presently be described. An electromagnet can also be employed. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. l and 2, the lamina 22 constitutes the whole of flange 18.

FIG. 3 illustrates another form of the bag according to the invention, designed to fit a different type of vacuum cleaner and alsonu embodying a modification in the construction of the flange 18. In the bag as illustrated in FIG. 3, the ange 18 has a laminated structure, comprising a stiff lamina 24 of cardboard or the like, having cemented thereto a magnetic lamina 22 of iron foil or the like, as shown cross-sectionally in FIG. 4. Using the laminated construction according to FIG. 4, certain economies can be effected. The metal foil, which is relatively expensive, need not be made sufficiently heavy to serve the reinforcing function of preventing enlargement of the mouth aperture by tearing of slits 16, this function being performed by the relatively heavy lamina 24 of comparatively cheap cardboard or the like.

The filter bag 10 according to the invention can take a variety of forms to fit a variety of vacuum cleaning machines, as Will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Another of such forms is shown in FIG. 5, comprising a bag body 10 provided with an aperture 15 at one end thereof, a generally large rectangular fiange 18 comprising a lamina 24 of cardboard or similar material overlying aperture 15 with its central aperture in registry with aperture 15. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5, the metal foil lamina 22 is not coextensive with the cardboard lamina 24. as in the embodiment of FIG. 3. Rather, the metal foil lamina 22 occupies only a relatively small area surrounding the bag mouth aperture 15. Such a construction is useful, for example, where the cardboard lamina 24 must be of substantial area because it is depended upon to hold the adjacent walls of the bag apart. The metal foil lamina 22 cemented or otherwise secured to cardboard lamina 24 need not be of such broad extent, and is advantageously made somewhat smaller, as illustrated.

FIG. 6 illustrates the manner in which the bag according to FIG. 3 is placed in operative relation to the discharge end 26 of an inlet conduit 28 of a vacuum cleaner. As the end 26 of the inlet conduit 28 is inserted into the potential mouth aperture 15 defined by slits 16, the slits 16 are opened up to form an actual aperture bordered by more or less triangular flaps '30 which surround the end portion 26 of the conduit 28 and help to form the required seal.

Secured to conduit 28, at the discharge end thereof, is a magnet 32. Magnet 32 may take any of a number of forms, and can be made of various permanently magnetizable materials. The preferred form, as illustrated, is that of a flat flange or collar (FIGS. 6, 7 and 14, for example) surrounding the conduit near the discharge end 26 thereof, or alternatively, a tubular member forming an extension of the end 26 of the conduit 28 (32a, FIG. l1). Magnet 6 32 has an aperture. Magnet 32 encircles conduit 28 at the discharge end.

When the discharge end 26 of the inlet conduit 28 is introduced into the mouth aperture 15 of the bag 10, as shown in FIG. 6, lamina foil 22 is thereby brought into the field of the magnet 32, which thereupon attracts and holds foil 22 and the associated adjoining portions of the bag bodywl() in the manner illustrated in FIG. 6. No other coupling means are required, as the magnet 32 will hold the bag 10 securely against all the forces normally tending to cause disengagement during operation of the vacuum cleaner. On the other hand, the bag 10 may be easily removed when full by simply pulling it away from the end of the conduit against the attractive force of the magnet 32.

FIG. 7 shows a bag of the type shown in FIG. 5, mounted in a typical vacuum cleaner housing, and held in sealing relationship to the inlet conduit in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIG. 6.

In connection with FIG. 7, for example, it may be noted that the magnet 32 need not be an original part of the vacuum cleaner as manufactured. Rather, the magnet 32 can be installed in almost any commercially available style of vacuum cleaner by simply placing it around the inlet conduit 28, adjacent the discharge end 26 thereof. and cementing or otherwise fastening it in place. In some cases, it is .not even necessary to cement or otherwise fasten the magnet 32 in place. In a vacuum cleaner of the type shown in FIG. 7, for example, when the front wall 34 of the tank is made of iron or steel, it will attract and hold the magnet in the position shown, and the magnet will remain held in that position even when the bag is pulled away, because the mass of the wall '34 is greater than that of the foil 22, and the magnetic attraction between the wall and the magnet is correspondingly greater than the attraction between the magnet and the foil.

FIG. 8 illustrates the bag 10 and magnetic coupling arrangement of the invention as .applied to another type of vacuum cleaner, comprising a generally spherical tank with an inlet conduit 28 entering through the top center thereof. The construction and operation of the coupling arrangement is generally similar to that described above, except that in this case the magnet 32 is a metallic magnet, as indicated by the hatching of the section, instead of a flexible magnet.

FIG. 9 illustrates the invention as applied to another type of vacuum cleaner, of the type comprising a tank consisting of an upper and a lower hemisphere (the upper hemisphere only being partially shown in FIG. 9). In this type of cleaner, the two hemispheres are releasably joined at the equator, and are separated when it is desired to change filter bags. The design of this type of cleaner is such that when the upper hemisphere is lifted off, the filter bag 10 is lifted with it, and is subsequenly removed therefrom. In the conventional type of machine, the bag 10 is held in connection with the upper hemisphere by one or more spring hooks positioned to enter the mouth aperture 15 of the bag and engage a stiff flange of cardboard or the like surrounding the mouth aperture 15. Using the magnetic coupling according to the present invention, such hooks and like are unnecessary, as the magnet, if properly selected for the purpose, holds the bag suiciently strongly so as to allow it to be lifted up by lifting the upper hemisphere to which it is magnetically coupled. The con-4 struction of the bag as shown in FIG. 9 also illustrates another modification, in that a lamina of paper 36 is interposed between the foil 22 and the cardboard flange 24, and cemented or otherwise secured to both. This construction sometimes facilitates assembly of the bag.

FIGS. 10 Iand 11 illustrate `another form of the magnetic coupling according to the invention, in which the mouth of the bag 15, is surrounded by a stiff cylindrical lamina collar 24a, for example of helically wound, laminated cardboard, having a lining 22a of paramagnetic metal foil. The inlet conduit with which such a bag is used has a generally tubular magnet 32a forming an extension on the end 26 of the inlet conduit 28, and the relative sizes of the magnet 32a and the collar 24a are such that they are capable of nesting together in snug telescoping relationship. As illustrated, the magnet 32a telescopes into the interior of the bag collar 24a. lf desired, it may be sized to surround the bag collar 24a, in which case the metal foil 22a is placed on the outside, rather than the inside of the collar 24a. Preferably, although not necessarily, a flange 37 is provided to limit the extent of entry of the magnet 32a into the collar 24a.

FIGS. l2 and l3 illustrate a feature of the invention which serves as a safety factor. When the bag is practically full, the remaining exposed area capable of passing air is limited in extent, and is usually at least partially blinded by previous entrapment of dust particles in the pores thereof. Under these conditions, particularly when using a powerful blower, considerable pressures may be built up, which may possibly be sufficient to rupture the bag. Also, during normal use, it sometimes happens that relatively heavy objects are drawn up into the tube and these, upon striking the bag, may do so with sufficient force to rupture it. Damage from these conditions is alleviated or avoided by the fact that the bag can be pulled away from the magnet 32 to a limited extent, without removing the foil 22 from the magnetic field, thus providing sufficient give to prevent damaging the bag 10. The extent of such motion may be limited, for example, by providing a stop 38 (FIG. 13) to prevent the bag 1f) from moving so far that the foil 22 passes out of the magnetic eld. This ensures that, after the moving force has been removed, the foil 22 will be attracted back to the magnet 32, reestablishing the condition illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 14 illustrates, in more or less diagrammatic form, the manner in which the bag mouth aperture 15 and associated components including the metal foil lamina 22 are brought up to the magnet 32 in order to effect the coupling of the bag to the inlet conduit, as previously described.

The manner of operation of the apparatus according to the invention is believed to be entirely clear from the foregoing description of the various embodiments thereof, and will not be reiterated.

It will be understood that the term foil as herein employed is intended to signify any form of sheet material suitable for the particular application and is intended to include rigid sheet materials as well as those having fiexible characteristics, and the term is not intended as a limitation upon the thickness of the sheet material.

What is claimed is:

1. A coupling assembly for detachably securing a vacuum cleaner filter bag having an inlet aperture in operative association with a vacuum cleaner inlet opening means having a discharge end, said assembly comprising a first magnetic member having an aperture therein, said first magnetic member attached to a vacuum cleaner filter bag overlying the inlet to said filter bag such that the aperture in said first magnetic member is in registry with said inlet, a second magnetic member having an aperture therein secured to said discharge end such that said second magnetic member is operatively associated with said discharge end with its aperture in registry with said inlet opening, one of said magnetic members being a magnet.

2. A coupling assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second magnetic member is a magnet in the form of a fiange which encircles said discharge end.

3. A coupling assembly according to claim 2, wherein the flange magnet is made of flexible magnetic composition.

4. A coupling assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second magnetic member is a magnet in the form of a tube attached to said discharge end, forming an extension thereof.

5. A coupling assembly according to claim 4, wherein the tube magnet is made of a rigid, metallic magnet material.

6. A coupling assembly according to claim 4, wherein said first magnetic member is a magnetically-susceptible material in the form of a tube adapted to nest with the tube magnet in telescoping relationship therewith.

7. A coupling assembly according to claim 6, wherein said discharge end is provided with an apertured flange encircling said discharge end such that said discharge end passes through said aperture of said fiange and lies on both sides of said flange, whereby said fiange serves to limit the telescoping relative motion of the tubular magnet and the tubular member of magnetically-susceptible material.

8. A coupling assembly according to claim 6, wherein the tubular member of magnetically-susceptible material is secured to and supported by a tubular stiffening member.

9. A coupling assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first magnetic member is a planar member of magnetically-susceptible metal.

10. A coupling assembly according to claim 9, wherein said planar member is a metal plate having appreciable stiffness in the unsupported condition.

11. A coupling assembly according to claim 9, wherein said planar member is a metal foil, said assembly further comprising a planar, non-magnetic stiffening member, said foil being secured to said stiffening member.

12. A vacuum cleaner filter bag provided with an air inlet and a magnetic foil member having an aperture therein, said magnetic member attached to said vacuum cleaner filter bag, said aperture in registry with said air inlet such that said magnetic member overlies said inlet.

13. A vacuum cleaner filter bag according to claim 12, wherein said magnetic foil member is a magnetically-susceptible member.

14. A vacuum cleaner filter bag according to claim 12, wherein said foil is mounted on a collar member and is not coextensive therewith.

15. A vacuum cleaner filter bag according to claim 12, wherein said foil is mounted on a collar member and is coextensive therewith.

16. A vacuum cleaner having a housing, said housing having a dust ladened air inlet means having a discharge end to which is attached a first magnetic member having an aperture therein in registry with said discharge end, said first magnetic member operatively associated with said discharge end, said housing containing a vacuum cleaner filter bag provided with an air inlet, said vacuum cleaner filter bag having attached thereto a second magnetic member operatively associated with said first magnetic member and having an aperture therein, said second magnetic member overlying said air inlet to said filter bag and having its aperture in registry With said air inlet to said filter bag, one of said magnetic members being a magnet.

17. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 16, wherein said first magnetic member is a magnet and said second magnetic member is a magnetical1ysusceptible member.

18. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 17, wherein said magnet is in the form of a tube secured to said discharge end and said magnetically-susceptible member is a tubular member adapted to nest with the tube magnet in telescoping relationship therewith.

19. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 16, wherein said second magnetic member is a planar member of a magnetically-susceptible metal having appreciable stiffness in the unsupported condition.

20. A vacuum cleaner according to claim 16, wherein said second magnetic member is a planar member of magnetically-susceptible material in the form of a metal foil secured to a stiffening member.

21. A vacuum cleaner lter bag provided with an air inlet and a magnet having an aperture therein, said magnet attached to said vacuum cleaner filter bag, said aperture in registry with said air inlet such that said magnet overlies said inlet.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Quagliano 160-184 Lough 55-287 X Poynter 55-367 Bowen.

Cranmer 229-625 X Bernstein.

Simmonds 220-32 Carew 335-285 X Braunlich 210-446 X McGugin.

Cordell 55-376 Wall.

10 Mintz 28s-9 M X FOREIGN PATENTS Germany. Great Britain.

Great Britain.

DENNIS E. TALBERT, JR., Primary Examiner U.S. C1. X.R.

15 15-327 R, Dig. 8; 24-201 B; 55-367, 378, 381, 490,

Dig. 6; 206-Dig. 33; 2li-Dig.

1; 22o-55 MG; 

